Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Oil: Russia

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the decision to ban the import of Russian oil into the UK, what financial protection is available to UK companies who chartered Russian oil tankers to deliver fuel to the UK.

Lord Callanan: Russian ships have been banned from UK ports, following UK sanctions against Russia. The ban includes any vessels owned or operated by anyone connected to Russia.The UK will also stop importing Russian oil by the end of this year, building on the Government’s package of international economic sanctions.The Government is confident that this can be achieved over the course of the year, providing enough time for companies to adjust while ensuring consumers are protected. The Government is already providing support worth around £21 billion during this year, and next, to help people with the cost of living and will continue to monitor the economic impact of the conflict and keep its approach under review.The Department for International Trade has expanded its Export Support Service (ESS) to act as a single point of enquiry for businesses and traders with questions relating to the situation in Ukraine and Russia. Any business that has question about trading with Ukraine or Russia can visit the GOV.UK website to contact the export support team, or call our helpline using the number 0300 303 8955.

Department of Health and Social Care

Breast Cancer: Screening

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that (1) communication, and (2) information, around breast screening is properly tailored to reach different (a) communities, and (b) age groups.

Lord Kamall: Breast screening information leaflets have been developed with contributions from women representing a wide range of backgrounds and ages. These leaflets are available both in hard copy and online in the 10 most requested languages. An easy read version of the guide to breast screening has also been developed. In addition, an animation about screening programmes for women, featuring breast screening and guidance for screening services on reducing inequalities in the programme is available.A separate leaflet is provided for women aged 71 years old and over which explains that although they no longer receive routine invitations, breast screening can be requested every three years.

Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust: Public Appointments

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the appointments process for non-executives on the Board of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that applicants are not excluded from consideration based on their views of gender.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to issue advice to NHS Foundation Trusts on the appointment process of Chairs and non-executives to ensure that applicants’ views on gender are not used to exclude them from consideration.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that it is not discriminating against people with protected beliefs within its employment process.

Lord Kamall: No formal assessment of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s appointments process for non-executives has been made. The appointment of chairs and non-executive directors of National Health Service foundation trusts is conducted by the council of governors which is obliged to comply with all equality laws and recruitment best practice.The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, as with other NHS trusts and foundation trusts, apply equality laws and best practice during recruitment and welcome applications from any suitably qualified candidate. This includes whether the candidate meets the NHS-wide criteria of promoting and respecting equality, diversity, and inclusion.In 2013, Monitor published Your statutory duties: A reference guide for NHS foundation trust governors. This guidance sets out the statutory duties for governors of NHS foundation trusts, including appointing and removing the chair and other non-executive directors. The guidance states that the procedure for all appointments or reappointments must be formal, rigorous and transparent. The appointment must be awarded on merit and based on objective criteriadeveloped in the best interests of the trust. The process should be described in the NHS foundation trust’s annual report. A copy of the guidance is attached.The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust is now receiving mandated support from NHS England and NHS Improvement under the System Oversight Framework.Governors Guide  (pdf, 940.8KB)

Breast Cancer: Screening

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of lowering the breast cancer screening age.

Lord Kamall: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) awaits the publication of the Age Extension Trial before a recommendation can be made to the Department. The results of the trial will be critical to providing a better understanding of the benefits and harms of offering screening outside the recommended screening ages. Publication of the AgeX trial is expected in 2026. The UK NSC is in contact with the researchers and will review the findings as soon as they are available. Any changes to national screening policy are made on the basis of robust evidence where the benefit to screen outweighs the harms.

Migrants: Health Services

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many persons (1) subject to no recourse to public funds under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and (2) who are undocumented, are being denied access to the NHS; and what guidance they have provided to healthcare providers on the provision of services for these individuals.

Lord Kamall: No specific estimate has been made. The duty to establish eligibility for free secondary care lies with providers of relevant services and the information is not held centrally. The Department is clear that relevant bodies must never delay or prevent treatment which is classed as immediately necessary or urgent by the treating clinician irrespective of whether or not the patient has paid or agreed to pay charges. The Department works with NHS England and NHS Improvement to provide guidance and training for the National Health Service to ensure they are correctly and consistently identifying overseas visitors who are chargeable or exempt from charge.

Oral Cancer: Oral Tobacco

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the letter from Professor David Nutt to The Times on 16 March stating that the rates of oral cancer among South Asian women are nearly four times higher than those among the rest of the population, whether they will (1) publish information on the toxicity of South Asian chewed products, and (2) compare this to the toxicity of snus.

Lord Kamall: The Department does not hold data on the toxicity of South Asian chewed products or on the toxicity of snus.

Department for Education

Academies: Inspections

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manysummary evaluations of multi-academy trusts have been carried out by Ofsted since new guidance was issued in September 2021.

Baroness Barran: Ofsted’s programme of multi-academy trust summary evaluations (MATSEs) remained suspended between September 2021 and February half-term 2022, as Ofsted prioritised the resumption of its full school inspection programme during this period. MATSEs are now being scheduled, although none have been completed at this time. Ofsted expects to carry out a number of evaluations during the remainder of the academic year.

Schools: Inspections

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to change the current system of Ofsted school inspections to make it less adversarial.

Baroness Barran: Ofsted inspections are designed to provide parents, schools, government and the wider public with independent, rounded assessments of the quality of education being provided to pupils, and their safeguarding. Inspectors are expected to uphold the highest professional standards in their work and to treat everyone they meet during inspections fairly, with respect and sensitivity. Inspectors work constructively with school leaders to understand the context of the school and involve leaders throughout.The current model of inspection was introduced in September 2019, following extensive consultation. There are no plans to change the approach to inspection currently, but Ofsted regularly reviews its inspection handbook to take into consideration the changing circumstances in which schools operate. For example, Ofsted has updated its school inspection handbook to recognise that schools are operating in challenging circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citizenship: Education

Baroness Greengross: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many schools in England offered Citizenship as a standalone subject in 2019; and how many students were entered into (1) GCSE, and (2) A Level, examinations for Citizenship in that year.

Baroness Greengross: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many schools in England offered Citizenship as a standalone subject in 2009; and how many students were entered into (1) GCSE, and (2) A Level, examinations for Citizenship in that year.

Baroness Barran: The department does not hold information on the subjects offered by individual schools and colleges. However, the department does publish the number of entries into GCSE Citizenship and A level Citizenship Studies, which can be used as a guide to how many schools and colleges offer these qualifications.GCSE Citizenship was first introduced as a full course in academic year 2010/11 and the earliest national data held by the department is available for academic year 2011/12. In 2011/12, 10,474 pupils at the end of key stage 4 were entered for GCSE Citizenship and 237 schools entered pupils. In 2018/19, 18,098 pupils at the end of key stage 4 were entered for GCSE Citizenship and 570 schools entered pupils.A level Citizenship studies became operational in September 2008 and this qualification ended operation in July 2019. There were no pupils aged 16 to 18 who were entered for A level Citizenship studies in academic years 2008/09 or 2018/19. The 2008/09 figure is not published separately but has been included as part of ‘other social studies’ up until and including 2017/18.

Children: Ukraine

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to supportschool-age Ukrainian children who have gaps in their education.

Baroness Barran: Supporting local authorities to create sufficient school places is one of the government’s top priorities. Ukrainian children, aged at least 4 but under 16, who move to and live in the UK are entitled to a school place in England.10,000 lessons can now be auto translated into Ukrainian, Russian and other languages through Oak National Academy, the online classroom serving millions of children through the pandemic. This will help schools support pupils who have English as a second language.The department is working closely across government to ensure school-age children transition back to normal life and will set out more details when available. The success of Operation Warm Welcome, which ensured Afghans arriving in the UK received the vital support they need to rebuild their lives demonstrated the government is prepared.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Nagorno Karabakh: Humanitarian Situation and Security

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the (1) humanitarian, and (2) security, situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government recognises that Russia's unprovoked and needless attack on Ukraine is generating significant pressures for neighbouring countries and regions. At this stage, we have made no specific assessment of the impact on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. We reiterate our call on the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to engage in substantive discussions with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group to secure a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

Mikita Yemialyianau

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported imprisonment ofMikita Yemialyianan in Belarus; and what representations they have made to the government of that country about his case.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are aware of the case of Mikita Yemialyianau. There are over 1,000 political prisoners in Belarus. We remain deeply troubled about the intolerable prison conditions in which detainees are held in Belarus. We urge the authorities to release political prisoners, immediately and unconditionally, and have raised this both bilaterally and multilaterally. The UK has imposed over 100 sanctions in response to the fraudulent elections, human rights violations, and repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus. Moreover, this repression takes place in the context of Belarus' unacceptable support for Russia's illegal and unprovoked attack against Ukraine.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Armenia about providing additional (1) security protection, and (2) humanitarian assistance, to Armenian villages at risk of attack of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Armenia regarding works to restore the gas pipeline to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is monitoring ongoing tensions in the region. At this time, there are no plans to provide assistance in addition to that which the UK already provides to the region. We continue to encourage the parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve all matters related to the conflict.

Balkans: Security

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to guarantee (1) security, and (2) stability, in the Western Balkans in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Russia's unprovoked, premeditated attack against the sovereign democratic state of Ukraine has heightened the risk of miscalculation or exploitation in the Western Balkans region. We will not allow Russia to use the region as a theatre for provocation or distraction. We are working closely with our NATO Allies, including the US and other European partners, to support security and stability across the region. We are using our programme funds to increase resilience against malign activity such as state-sponsored cyber-attacks, and we are deepening economic ties. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), we support the recent increase in personnel deployed as part of the Operation ALTHEA peace stabilisation force, and we are reviewing a range of restrictive measures, including sanctions and greater conditionality of international assistance to ensure stability in BiH. While Russia continues to violate international law, human rights and multiple commitments to peace and security, we will work with our allies and partners across the multilateral system to condemn Russia's appalling actions and to isolate it on the international stage.

Ukraine: Cybersecurity

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken, if any, to support Ukraine’s cyberspace and to bolster its cyber defences.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In recent weeks we have seen reports of malicious cyber incidents in Ukraine which bear the hallmarks of similar Russian activity we have observed before, including the NotPetya incident.HMG assess the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against the Ukrainian banking sector on 15 and 16 February 2022 to have involved the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). The decision to publicly attribute this incident underlines the fact that the UK and its allies will not tolerate malicious cyber activity.This activity is yet another example of Russia's aggressive acts against Ukraine. At times of heightened international tension, all organisations need to be vigilant to the risk of cyber compromises and follow the National Cyber Security Centre best practice guidance.

BBC World Service: Finance

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask Her Majesty's Government what the level of funding will be for the BBC World Service from April 2022.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We strongly value the work of the BBC World Service and its independent and impartial broadcasting. In 2021-22, the FCDO is providing a total of £94.4 million to the World Service. The FCDO is committed to providing funding for the BBC World Service through to 2025, with final allocations to be confirmed after the conclusion of the FCDO business planning process.

UK Relations with EU: Northern Ireland

Lord Browne of Belmont: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the negotiating position and approach of the EU on the political stability of the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is still in discussions with the EU regarding the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. So far we have not seen the flexibility necessary to address the issues we are seeing. The situation in Northern Ireland is serious: there is no longer a fully functioning devolved government.We remain fully committed to fixing the problems with the Protocol and to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions. We need to make progress urgently to provide a platform for a stable, effective power-sharing Executive after the May elections.

Pakistan: Foreign Relations

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan since that country's abstention on the UN General Assembly resolution of 2 March demanding the Russian Federation immediately end its invasion of Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: I (Lord Ahmad) spoke to Foreign Minister Qureshi about Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 27 February. Our High Commissioner in Islamabad has discussed with Prime Minister Khan and senior officials in Islamabad; and officials in London have spoken frequently to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London. The UK is working with our partners to put pressure on Russia, and to build international support for Ukraine.

Russia: Peace Implementation Council

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Russia's membership of the (1) Bosnia and Herzegovina Peace Implementation Council, and (2) the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and what assessment they have made as to whether Russia’s membership should be reviewed.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: While Russia continues to violate international law, human rights and multiple commitments to peace and security, we will work with our allies and partners across the multilateral system to condemn Russia's appalling actions and to isolate it on the international stage. As a signatory of the 1995 General Framework for Peace (GFAP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Russia is a member of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) and its Steering Board. However, since the appointment of High Representative Christian Schmidt, whom the UK fully supports, Russia has not participated in the PIC or the Steering Board. Any review of Russia's membership of the PIC would be for the whole Steering Board.

Eastern Europe: Humanitarian Aid

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK's (1) Humanitarian Field Teams, and (2) Emergency Medical Team, which are deployed to Poland, Romania, and Moldova, include any specialists in responding to (a) sexual, and (b) gender, based violence.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK's Emergency Medical Team (UKEMT) has in place standard operations procedures (SOPs) on protection and safeguarding and on the identification, treatment, management and referrals of sexual and gender based violence cases. All deployable UKEMT medical and logistical members undergo safeguarding checks and have completed specialist safeguarding training, as well as deploying with specialist medical kits to respond to sexual violence cases.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: CCTV

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office plan to issue new procurement guidance to exclude surveillance camera suppliers linked with (1) modern slavery, and (2) human rights violations; and whether this will apply to public bodies in the education sector.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer to his question HL6759. Comprehensive commercial policy and guidance to identify and tackle modern slavery and labour abuse risks throughout the commercial life cycle is a Cabinet Office lead.The Government is clear that it expects all UK businesses to respect human rights throughout their operations, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Cabinet Office published in Procurement Policy Note 05/19 comprehensive commercial policy and guidance to identify and tackle modern slavery and labour abuse risks throughout the commercial life cycle. This advocates a risk based approach and applies to central government, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies. Other public sector contracting authorities may wish to apply the approach set out in this PPN. This is being updated to strengthen the guidance on using the existing grounds in the Public Contracts Regulations for excluding suppliers, and will set out enhanced means of proof and due diligence activities. This will be published in due course.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fertilisers: Prices

The Duke of Montrose: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increase in fertiliser prices on the cost of (1) agricultural, and (2) horticultural, produce for the domestic market.

Lord Benyon: Due to the increase in cost of natural gas across the globe, a key feedstock for the production of nitrogen-based fertiliser products including ammonium nitrate, the cost of production of these fertiliser types has increased significantly. It has also affected Europe and the global market with some fertiliser companies halting or reducing production due to high input costs, leading to some countries such as China reducing the export of some fertiliser products to protect their domestic demands. The situation and impacts on farmers in particular, and industry more widely, of current high fertiliser prices, are being monitored closely. We will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand any potential pressures and options to mitigate any risks. We understand from industry intelligence that the vast majority of fertiliser needs for this planting season have been met. There are nutrient management techniques and technologies that can be used alongside fertiliser products that help the efficacy of fertilisers and help maintain high yield and good quality produce. Support in the form of guidance from fertiliser suppliers and agricultural organisations such as National Farmers Union can be found from various public sources. Defra is aware that the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has published many helpful public pieces of guidance, advice and webinar recordings on mitigating high fertiliser prices.

Northern Ireland Office

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are paying or contributing to the legal costs of the applicants in the McKerr group of cases, including that relating to the murder of Patrick Finucane, which are currently before the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe after judgments by the European Court of Human Rights; and, if so, how muchthey have contributed to date.

Lord Caine: The following cases remain before the Committee of Ministers, who supervise the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights: McKerr v United Kingdom (Application 28883/95), judgement final on 4 August 2001; Kelly and others v United Kingdom (Application 30054/96), judgement final on 4 August 2001; Shanaghan v United Kingdom (Application 37715/97), judgement final on 4 August 2001; Finucane v United Kingdom (Application 29178/95), judgement final on 1 October 2003; McCaughey and others v United Kingdom (Application 43098/09), judgement final on 16 October 2013. In each case, a costs order would have been made following the final hearing and no contributions or payments towards costs have been made after this. We do not pay or contribute to costs of any submissions or otherwise of cases which are before the Committee of Ministers.

Civil Proceedings: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many legacy civil suits that (1) they are subject to, and (2) relate to the Troubles, are currently before the courtsinNorthern Ireland; how many were settled in 2021; what amounts were paid to applicants that year; and what was the cost in legal aid.

Lord Caine: There are over 1,000 legacy civil claims against state agencies, including those at the pre-action stage, all of which relate to the Troubles. The Northern Ireland Office was a co-defendant in two legacy civil claims in 2021 that were settled. The amounts paid will remain confidential as per the terms of the settlements. The Northern Ireland Office does not hold information on the settlement of legacy civil claims faced by other Government Departments. Legal aid applications are considered by the Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland and payments are administered by the Department of Justice. As such, we are unable to comment on the costs relating to legal aid.